Create a 10 Second Introduction From Your USP

You can generate a ton of business by networking, whether you belong to a networking organization or just get referrals from existing (satisfied) customers. Whenever you meet a new potential client, it's important to create the right impression about you and your business straight away. That's where a 10 second introduction comes in handy ? and the more this introduction stands out from the rest, the more likely your new acquaintance is to remember you.

One great way of making your introduction stand out and to really grab the attention of the person you're introducing yourself to is to put an unexpected twist right at the start. One lady I know starts her introduction: "Hello, I'm Jane Doe, and I want to root through your trash cans." Now that's an introduction that nails everybody's attention ? and leaves them wanting more. The lady in question is an environmental consultant and helps companies reduce the amount of waste they produce ? hence rooting through the trash.

Spending some time thinking about how you can present your business in a truly unusual light will turn out to be a great investment in the long run. Write down all the things you typically do in your business and see how you can twist them around to make people ask "You can't really do that for a living?"

But that is only the beginning, of course. Now that you have grabbed their attention you have to follow up with something useful. Nobody would ever hire somebody to go through their trash, no matter how interesting that sounds as a job description. So now's the time to follow up with your USP, some strong benefits and your guarantee if you have one. Let's say you're a printer. Your USP is that you always deliver on time. Your introduction could read:

"Hello, I'm Joe Smith. I'm an undertaker's nightmare." Now you should have the undivided attention of the person you're talking to. An undertaker's nightmare? So you go on: "That's because I want to be buried in paperwork." [Yes, I know, that was a terrible pun. But be honest ? it got your attention, right? And that's what counts.]

"I run a printing business. We do any kind of print run, from as little as 100 copies of a monochrome flyer to ten thousand full-color catalogues. And we promise that we will deliver on time, [USP] so you can be sure to have your materials when you need them [Benefit]. We're so sure of that that we promise to knock 15% off our fee for each day, should a project ever be late. [Guarantee]"

And that's your business in a memorable nutshell. Just as the environmental consultant is now known to everybody as "The trash can lady", this printer could be famous as "The undertaker's nightmare". The point is to be instantly recognized and remembered by the people you've met ? so their next project goes to you instead of the person who just said: "Hello, I'm John Doe and I'm a printer"

So, to recap, a great 10 second introduction needs:

· A way to introduce your business that will grab the listener's attention.

· A short description of what you do, including your USP and benefits.

· A Guarantee (if you have one. If you don't, think about getting one!)

Get all these elements together and you'll see that people will remember you ? and give you their business.

Frauke Nonnenmacher is a copywriter who specialises in marketing materials designed to build customer relationships. For more information, please visit her web site at http://www.creativecats.com

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:07:34 GMT FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated - Washington Post ABC News FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated Washington Post - 21 hours ago By David Brown The Food and Drug Administration will begin posting every three months a list of drugs whose safety is under investigation because of complaints brought to the agency's attention by drug companies, physicians and patients. The Basics on the Foodfight Over Irradiation U.S. News & World Report 20 Drugs FDA Is Watching WebMD Wall Street Journal - Los Angeles Times - The Associated Press - CNNMoney.com all 535 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:19:40 GMT Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout - New York Times Washington Post Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout New York Times - 50 minutes ago By AP Evan Royster rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns, Daryll Clark threw two scoring passes and the defense for 19th-ranked Penn State did not miss a beat without two suspended starters Saturday in a 45-14 victory over visiting Oregon State. Clark, Royster lead Nittany Lions to romp over Oregon State Seattle Post Intelligencer Big Ten early notes: Penn State makes a statement ESPN The Associated Press - SportingNews.com - Dawgman.com - Big Ten Network all 388 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:17:05 GMT Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds - New York Times Times Online Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds New York Times - 3 hours ago Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin held a rally on Saturday at an airplane hanger in Colorado Springs, Colo. By PATRICK HEALY and MICHAEL COOPER Fresh from the Republican convention, Senator John McCain’s campaign sees evidence that his choice of ... On to the main event for McCain, Obama Atlanta Journal Constitution Obama, McCain to Honor Victims of 9/11 Together Voice of America AFP - Hagerstown Morning Herald - Washington Post - Financial Times all 1,434 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:23:34 GMT 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times 'Bangkok Dangerous' Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago The Pang brothers remake their audacious 1999 film, but without the gritty, seamy feel of the original, it seems like just another bullet ballet out of a Steve Wynn dream. 'Dangerous' prosperous at box office Variety An Assassin Arrives to Turn Off the Lights New York Times Metromix - Reuters - Boston Herald - Portsmouth Herald News all 275 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:52:03 GMT 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice - Variety 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice Variety - 5 hours ago By JEFF SNEIDER Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion. Pic stars Mickey Rourke as a past-his-prime wrestler on the comeback trail. 'Wrestler' wins Golden Lion Hollywood Reporter "The Wrestler" wins Venice Golden Lion Reuters Independent - The Associated Press - guardian.co.uk - TIME all 418 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:11:44 GMT Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline - InformationWeek PR Web (press release) Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline InformationWeek - 4 hours ago After 10 years as a company, Google is making the Chrome browser key to the coming of age of cloud computing, or software as a service. Mozilla updates Firefox 3.1 with Alpha 2 build Computerworld Mozilla releases second Firefox 3.1 alpha CNET News CRN - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Examiner.com - Hartford Courant all 231 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:46:03 GMT Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... - U.S. News & World Report CTV.ca Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... U.S. News & World Report - Sep 5, 2008 A Resolute Strategy on Georgia: One day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced "at least $1 billion" in aid to Georgia, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report looks at increasing criticisms of such programs. Bisphenol A may harm fetuses, infants and children Food Consumer That Plastic Baby Bottle New York Times eFluxMedia - Los Angeles Times - Washington Post - AHN all 308 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:01:40 GMT Add Data Feed Content to Your Website Amazon RSS Feed Generator

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Joining Industry Specific Organizations Has Many Benefits

Recently, while providing an up-and-coming Virtual Assistant (VA) and small... Read More

The A-B-Cs of Networking

In the workplace - and when dealing with workplace matters... Read More

Follow-Up with Your Contacts

What happens when you meet a potential client at an... Read More

A Vital Habit For Selling Big Ticket Items

I hope the title of this article aroused your curiosity!... Read More

Networking and Trade Shows

The most important reasons people exhibit at a trade show?... Read More

You MUST Be Visible

Have you ever noticed how visible large corporations are? Take... Read More

Giving Referrals to Get Referrals

One of the best ways to get a referral is... Read More

How to Make the Most of Those First 30 Seconds

Did you just meet the most important person in your... Read More

Alcohol & Events

Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More

Networking Group Loyalty Requirements

How can you find out the group loyalty requirements before... Read More

The Five Step Formula For Getting Prospects to Call You

Are you tired of prospecting for new business?Are you sick... Read More

Hey, Whos the New Guy? How to Make Guests and First Timers Feel Welcome

The New Guy is a person we all know. And... Read More

Make Money on the Internet - The Lifestyle Advantages of Professional Marketers

Some of the most successful businesses in existence today started... Read More

The Festive Season: Your Networking Opportunity

The festive season is a great time to sharpen and... Read More

Networking

Put join a networking group on your to do list... Read More

Planting the Seeds of Greatness - Make it Great Newsletter #7

Thought of the WeekThis week, I'd like to challenge you... Read More

Build Your Business through Strategic Networking

Networking ? it's the latest business trend. Or is it?Actually,... Read More

Practice Makes Pefect

What is the problem when people try to describe what... Read More

Why Arent You Talking to Me?

Your nonverbal communication talks before you do. Only seven percent... Read More

Are You Really Listening: The Importance of Strong Communication Skills

Let's face it, when most people think of IT professionals,... Read More

The Power of Word of Mouth

Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told... Read More

Have We Met Before? What to Do When You Cant Remember Who Yourre Talking To

You see him from across the room. You know him,... Read More

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position... Read More

Sticky Situations: Nametag Best Practices

Because a person's name is the single context of human... Read More

How to Organize a Successful Bad Sweater Party

"Hey Scott, would you like to go to a Bad... Read More